A national hospital/community model protocol was developed for the forensic and medical examination of victims of sexual assault.

This review is designed to assist states in the development of sexual assault protocols.

Controversial issues were addressed, including the collection of hair evidence, the importance of semen, mandatory reporting, pregnancy testing and prophylaxis, and sexually transmitted diseases including human immunodeficiency virus.

The current role of DNA profiling is reviewed.

These issues at the interface of medicine, forensic science, victim advocacy, and the law are analyzed.